The term ‘Mardi Gras’ derives from the celebration on ‘Mardi’ (French for Tuesday) when ‘Gras’ (French for Fat) is eaten prior to the Christian abstinence period of Lent proceeding Easter.
As many you asked, what is the meaning of the Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras, (French: Fat Tuesday) festive day celebrated in France on Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which marks the close of the pre-Lenten season. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence.
Considering this, why is Mardi Gras celebrated in Australia? On 24 June 1978 a small group of gay and lesbian people operating as the Gay Solidarity Group staged a day of events in Sydney. The intention was to promote gay and lesbian culture and to encourage political activism against the discrimination they routinely experienced.
Correspondingly, how did Mardi Gras start in Sydney? Mardi Gras is one of Australia’s most famous and well-loved events, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to Sydney to join in the celebrations. It all began on a chilly winter’s night in 1978, when the police descended on a street festival bravely celebrating gay rights when homosexuality was still illegal.
Beside above, who started Mardi Gras in Sydney? Peter Murphy was 25 when the first Sydney Mardi Gras parade took place on 24 June 1978. He recalls the events of that night and how he was one of 53 people arrested.
